Epilepsy: Novel GABA modulating agents and GABAergic imbalance in CNS

An imbalance between inhibitory and excitatory systems of neurotransmission in the central nervous system systems results in the development of dramatic pathological shifts in the central nervous system; such disturbances are one of the important factors responsible for the development of epilepsy. Epilepsy, the second most common neurological condition is characterized by recurrent seizures of cerebral origin. Despite the optimal use of available antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), many patients with epilepsy fail to experience seizure control and others do so only at the expense of significant toxic side effects. The present book focuses on providing the basic understanding on all aspects of epilepsy as a neurological disorder, considering its classification, causes, symptoms. The emphasis of the book is on the γ-aminobutyric acid , the major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain and considers the problem of GABA-ergic inhibition in the CNS as the fundamental molecular mechanisms of GABA-ergic synaptic transmission, the classification of the GABA receptors, the possible mechanisms and functional importance of the tonic GABA-mediated inhibitory action and novel GABA modulating agents.